Independent Prescribing

The Supplementary Prescribing Course for pharmacists began in 2003 and when legislation changed in 2006 to enable independent pharmacy prescribing, the course was revised and is now known as the Independent Prescribing Course. Students who successfully complete the course are qualified as supplementary and independent prescribers.

This course (Post Graduate Certificate level) is divided into four modules and runs over a ten-month period. It includes 12 days’ learning in practice, the purpose of which is to enable the student to transfer their learning from the theory element of the course and to develop and practise clinical examination skills relevant to the condition(s) for which they intend to prescribe. The pharmacist may complete their learning in practice at any point during the ten-month period.

To be eligible for acceptance onto the course, pharmacists must have been practising for at least two years post registration and, in addition, must complete the:

• Confirmation of Eligibility form - To ensure that the most suitable pharmacists apply for and are accepted onto the course.
• Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) agreement- When you have identified a suitable DPP, both you and the DPP must sign the agreement.
• Learning Agreement – this must be signed by you, your DPP, your employer and by NICPLD.

Please note that the course takes place once per year and that all places on the course which will begin in August 2021 (Cohort 15) have been allocated.

The next Cohort (Cohort 16) will start at the end of August 2022. All updated application forms and information will be available from October 2021. Information will be similar to what is available here (relates to cohort 15) but the updated application forms must be used for application to Cohort 16. Applications will be accepted from approximately December 2021 and closing date will be approximately February 2022.